In the race for the top spot in the 4-4A conference, there can be only one undefeated team. The Dardanelle Sand Lizards (4-0, 1-0) and the Pottsville Apaches (4-0, 1-0) have shredded all competition, but the question of which team is deserves the top spot will be answered this Friday.

When the teams met last year, Pottsville came away with the win, 33-0. Of course, last year, it seemed nobody could stop the Apaches.

This year, however, may prove to be a slightly different ballgame. An experienced and potent offense travels to John Needham Stadium on Friday, one with state championship hopes boiling in their hearts. If Dardanelle hopes to come away with an unblemished record, the answer is clear: contain Michael Perry. Perry’s dual-threat attack has proved unstoppable thus far. Just ask Heber Springs, against whom Perry was 7-of-10 for 89 yards, 143 yards rushing and three touchdowns, leading the Apaches to a 35-14 victory.

Dardanelle brings it’s own slippery quarterback to the table, and it’s clear that if Pottsville hopes to have a repeat of last year, they’re going to have to do what all others have failed to do thus far: stop Evan Carter. When the Sand Lizards toppled Mayflower 47-13, Carter was 23-of-28 for 210 yards and six touchdowns.

While both teams have put up staggering numbers, neither team has truly been tested. Perry, for example, has never had to scurry past Sand Lizard’s defensive ends Canyon Dulli and Ethan Sigle. Against Clarksville, Dulli stripped the football from the quarterback mid-throw and took it in to the end zone for a touchdown. Sigle is an ever-present threat on the football field, making runningbacks and quarterbacks reget having ever touched the football.

Meanwhile, Dardanelle has yet to face a team the caliber of Pottsville. The Apaches bring with them a tradition of winning.

They’re disciplined, talented and will make an offense pay for any and all mistakes. When Dardanelle faced Clarksville, three times they took over possession deep in Panther territory, and three times they failed to put points on the scoreboard.

The Apaches will not let those missed opportunities slip by unpunished. When Pottsville faced Clinton in Week 3, many of their touchdowns came after recovering fumbles and stepping in front of mis-thrown passes.

Only one team can walk away in control of the 4-4A. And for these two potent teams, it’s going to be an all-out-brawl.